Based on his formidable skills inside the ring, many view Subriel Matias, the IBF light welterweight champion, as one of the most avoided boxers in the 140-pound weight class. Despite maintaining an impressive record of 20 wins with all victories coming through knockouts and his nine years in the professional boxing arena, Matias has encountered difficulties in arranging matches with top-tier opponents.
Currently, Matias is preparing to defend his IBF title against Liam Paro, who boasts a record of 24 wins, 15 by knockout, on June 15th. This event will be live on DAZN at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico. It is believed that Matias’ performance in this upcoming fight could potentially influence other elite fighters in his weight division to finally agree to compete against him.
Renowned boxer Tim Bradley voiced his frustrations about the reluctance of fighters to face Matias, referring to him as the “boogieman” of the division. Bradley suggested that with suitable financial incentives, these top fighters might be persuaded to challenge Matias in the ring.
Despite potential challenges faced by Matias’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, in securing lucrative deals for matchups against prominent names such as Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Isaac Cruz, or Ryan Garcia, there is notable interest in the 140-pound division from sources like the Saudis.
Despite Matias’ appeal as a Puerto Rican boxer known for his knockout capabilities, his failure to secure high-profile opposition has impeded his progress in the sport. Some experts propose that a less-than-stellar performance against Paro could paradoxically enhance his prospects of arranging significant fights in the future.
The central hurdle for Matias remains persuading top fighters to engage in bouts with him, given that the absence of prominent matchups may impact his ability to attract fan support. The scenario of underperforming against Paro has generated mixed opinions, with some seeing it as a potential gateway to major clashes and others viewing it as a plausible excuse for adversaries to evade facing him.
